A House Divided

And the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’ And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. ‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin’— for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’ Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.’ And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’ Mark 3:20-35 

When Jesus talks about a house divided, he is not talking about liking opposing ball teams or even difference in politics. We live in an era of divisive politics and a brand-new war. We live in a time when people take sides and can be violent to those who oppose them. Jesus was at home and even his family did not know how to deal with the explosion of his ministry. Imagine, he had just gone home to rest and thousands of people show up in town, along with religious leaders all the way from Jerusalem, and he cannot get the rest he needs, so his family is trying to protect him. A complicated moment. Jesus to the astonishment of all, calls the whole gathering one house, one family if they follow God. We are one family, no matter how others would divide us.

Gracious and Loving Creator, we are your family

every size, color, language, place and tradition

we are yours, despite of human divisions and frailties.

We find ourselves in the throes of war and terror

we are pulled from side to side without a center

yet you give us the center as we live in your will.

Lord, help us to know you will in this fragile time

may we be agents of gathering and loving repair

and make us all your family again in your spirit. Amen.

Then He Went Home

Jesus departed with his disciples to the lake, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he sternly ordered them not to make him known. He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home; Mark 3:7-19

In today's Gospel we see Jesus appointing his twelve apostles. He had done much healing and is being pursued by ever growing crowds. The disciples readied a boat to prevent the crowd from crushing Jesus. Once he appointed his disciples, giving them out to proclaim and cast out demons, he went home. Even Jesus needed a break from the press of responsibility, from the press of the crowd and from the lack of privacy and space we all need. He was exhausted and returned to his home probably in Nazareth, to rest and refresh, turning everything over to his disciples. In these days, when war is waging in his homeland and surrounding countries, may we remember that even Jesus got tired and needed time and space to rest and heal.

Gracious Creator, you place us in homes

small and large, bustling and so quiet

so that we might be restored for the days ahead.

We have watched bombs hit their targets

and leaders proclaim great victories

yet there are innocent victims everywhere.

Help us to take the time we need to rest

so that we might have the strength to love

and to be safe home to those aching today. Amen.
 

Second Sunday in Lent - March 1, 2026

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:1-17

Good old Nicodemus, breaking rank with his colleagues, seeking out Jesus at night. Nicodemus was afraid of the cruel condemnation of his friends and family, and he was a leader with much to lose. Yet Nicodemus chose to seek out Jesus, and for many of us, this story has become bedrock of our faith. A trusted leader scared and maybe ashamed to be seen with Jesus, yet his heart is moved to seek him out. Nicodemus wants answers, as we do. Because of his shame and fear, we have one of the best answers in all the scriptures. "For God so loved the world." Simple and yet life changing for Nicodemus and for us. We were and are so dearly loved that our Creator sent his only child to make us all one family, to save us from our selfish destruction. We are not condemned but saved by divine love, so deep and so broad we cannot fully understand it. 

Loving Creator, you hold the world in your hands

and love us deeply despite our reckless behavior.

Precious Lord, please help us to be reborn in your love and spirit.

We use our power and cunning to destroy others

and weep like babies when we are in danger

Precious Lord, please help us to be reborn in your love and spirit.

Our leaders hide behind their powerful roles

hurting the alien in our midst to show strength.

Precious Lord, please help us to be reborn in your love and spirit.

But you, O Lord, call us to be born again by spirit

making ourselves vulnerable as little children.

Precious Lord, please help us to be reborn in your love and spirit.

We resist your love when we are most afraid

and cannot see you holding us through crisis.

Precious Lord, please help us to be reborn in your love and spirit.

Lord Jesus, make us humble and fully open

so we might know your love and healing today.

Precious Lord, please help us to be reborn in your love and spirit. Amen.

Fresh Wineskins

Jesus went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax-collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, ‘Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding-guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. ‘No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.’ Mark 2:13-22

It is hard to start over, whether it's a child's new year of school or an elder with new meds and a new caregiver. We all like the familiar, comfortable routine and do not easily embrace change, particularly when it is not our choice. Jesus reminds us that with each new season, we must open ourselves to the changes, open ourselves to new ways to receive God's blessings. Jesus was God's new gift to the world and many, comfortable in their old ways could not receive him. Let us have soft hearts and minds so we might see Jesus in our midst today.

Gracious Creator, you give us hearts and minds

to receive your wisdom and welcome new insights

so we might be renewed for the healing of the world.

You sent Jesus to bring your love and healing here

yet leaders and followers rejected the gift that was given

and closed their hearts to new love breaking through.

Help us to have pliable hearts and open minds

make us soft and generous in these harsh times

so your love might overflow abundantly here. Amen.

The Love of Friends

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ Mark 2:1-12

It must have been a remarkable sight, folks all crammed into his home, an overflowing crowd to be near Jesus. Outside some folks were carrying their friend on his small pallet and no one inside would make room for them. Despite the fact that these people were crammed in to see Jesus, they behaved like normal human crowds, pushing and shoving and not letting anyone get in front of them. This did not  deter the friends. Deep love, make space. Deep love digs through the roof and is not kept back by human or physical obstacles. And Jesus saw their love and their faith and made their friend well. May we be those who love deeply and who are not deterred when drawing near to Jesus.

Gracious Creator, who knows all of our needs

we draw close so that we might be healed and renewed

and you delight in our faith and make us whole again.

Sometimes we forget to see your face in the crowd

we let the human barriers and obstacles overwhelm us

and believe there is nothing more you can do for us.

Help us Lord to have the deep love of friends

persistent and faithful despite all of the many barriers

so that love can draw near today to those who are aching. Amen.

Healing

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. Mark 1:29-45

Healing is a complicated word and for many, a very complicated process. Whether we are dealing with physical, mental or emotional injuries, we all know that very fun things have simple resolutions. Faith healers make claims otherwise, yet even when the wound closes up, there is still healing to do. Peter's mother-in-law gets up and served them, like she was expected to do. We don't know about her whole response, but I can imagine she was grateful and thrilled to be back. The word must have gotten out since so many then sought Jesus out. Jesus takes time to connect to God, even when he is exhausted by the demands of life. His gratitude was in relationship, on his knees in prayer. We often forget that haling comes in many expressions from serving and proclaiming to deep, quiet prayer.

Loving Creator, you heal us as we lie asleep

you mend our weary hearts and our sadden lives

restoring us so we might serve others again.

We feel the weight our of broken lives here

and fear we will never be whole once again

but you, O lord, have promised to restore us.

Come, Lord Jesus, with your mighty love today

so we might be strengthened for love and service

and carry healing and hope to our weary world. Amen.

Follow Me

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James, son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:14-28

Fishing in America is often considered a lonely sport, just the angler and the water. In fact, through most of history, fishing was a community effort since the goal was to feed many people. It most often included women and children, who fished, helped the with nets, and the cleaning and preparing the fish. Peter, Andrew, James and John were called out from a collective of people working hard together to support their families. Yes, there is no mention of women and children in the calling scene, but I propose we put them back there, since they would have been close at hand. The calling of the first disciples changes a whole community. We can only imagine the mixed feelings had by the wives, mothers, friends, sisters and the hired help. None of it is recorded, but it was there, and it is still among us today. God called disciples from the most overlooked places on earth, from the least important and most disregarded places. And they were extracted from families and communities that gave them identity. God calls us all out of comfortable, familiar places. God calls the most unlikely and disregarded to follow him. May we say yes as the disciples did all those years ago.

Wondrous Creator, source of life and abundance

you lift us from our communities and our families

so we might make the whole world your family.

We resist for there are mouths to feed, jobs to do

we are comfortable in what we know and fear others

thinking we can hide away in familiar surroundings.

Draw us from hiding and help us follow you always

to places where love has been lost and trust destroyed

so we might make the whole world your beloved family. Amen.

The Beloved

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1:1-13

All of us have those we love in our lives, folks we would do anything for. We worry about their well-being and their happiness; we rejoice in their successes and comfort them in their hard times. We would do anything to get to them if they were in trouble. Jesus is baptized by John, and the heavens were "torn apart" so that the Spirit could get there and testify to beloved of God. All of us have torn through something to get to a loved one, especially a child or family member. I remember my daughter then small Emily, tearing off the protective gear they hospital demanded, so she could get close to me. I had been in the hospital for weeks without being allowed to see her. Imagine that God is tearing through the "heavens" for us. Aching to see us and tell us how loved we are. What an image to hold onto in the midst of a snowstorm here on the east coast!

Wondrous Creator, you love us all so fervently

that you sent you beloved, your son to love as we do

so we might see in the flesh your love for us all.

We think we can go unnoticed and un-cared for

yet even in our rebellion and many refusals

you tear open the heaven to reach for us in love.

Help us to seek you in every day and hour

letting your light find us in the storms of life

and filling us with fierce love and grace today. Amen.

First Sunday in Lent-February 22, 2026

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. Matthew 4:1-11

Being tempted is a very big part of being human. As children, we are tempted to steal food or candy from a sibling's portion or take attention away from them. We are often jealous of what others have and are angry that we don't have the same. We are greedy and want more than we are given, whether it's money, beauty or fame. And yet, Jesus in his full humanity was tempted three times by the devil and resisted, even though he was hungry, cold and alone. We all crave to be warm, fed and have company.

The are basic human necessities, and yet our desire for them can control us and eventually destroy us. We don't live with horned devils, yet we are enticed, every moment of every day, to take away from others and have more than we need. Lent is an invitation to examine where our greed and jealousies come from, admitting to them and releasing them from the power they have over our lives. 

Wondrous Creator, you gave us free will

we are autonomous and able to choose for ourselves.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

We give in to the excesses of our greedy times

and pretend it is the only way to fully live.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

Our lives are broken and shamefully undone

we fling insults and barbs as if we have the right.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

You, O Lord, faced all our human temptations

and sent the devil packing as you trusted in God.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

We are empty, lost folks wanting to come home

open your arms to us, the wretched slaves to sin.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

You, O Christ, are the great lover of all souls

and in you, Lord, we can rest and be fully fed. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us. Amen.

Holy Father, Protect Them

I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:9-19

As a mom, I have spent a great deal of time praying for with and over my children. When they were young, I often prayed as they headed off to school, to school events and sleepovers. I often prayed and still pray for them privately, away from their "oh, mom!" eyes and ears. They are so grown up and I am so proud of them all, but still I pray. Jesus is praying like a mother or a father does. He prays for the ones he loves so deeply, and he prays and intercedes for us now. His perfect love covers our imperfect love and prayers, and he prays alongside us as we pray for those we love. God's protection is real for us in hard and evil times, and in the small but impossible challenges we face daily.

Loving Creator, you love us as perfect parent

as one who brought us into this broken world

and who helps us to daily walk with you.

We stumble and fall, often over our own arrogance

we say we do not need your love to support us

but we cry to you in the night like frightened children.

Hear our cries, O Lord, and help us to be strong now

help us to pray for family, friends and enemies alike

for all God's children fiercely need your love now. Amen.

The Hour Has Come

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. John 17:1-8

Jesus was praying, offering himself to God's providence and offering his followers as well. They all suffered together in his passion, his crucifixion and death. None of us are ever ready when a loved one dies or is near death. We want more time, we want them with us forever, don't we? Yet we know we all have to face those times of deep, wrenching loss and our own end.  Our God promises to be with us through it all. We never face life's worst alone even when we feel otherwise. What if during this Lent, we lived our lives as these were our last days? What would we do differently? We don't know when our hour has come but we can be assured that God is with us always.

Wondrous Creator, you formed us in the womb

brought us into the world to live and grow

and walk with us as we toddle through this world.

Human life and all your creation have been devalued

greed has made the forests and the streams denigrated

and we labor every day without hope or possibility.

Yet you, O Lord, give us new life over and over again

promising to renew us as we live for our neighbors

giving us the strength and compassion to world needs now. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 18:9-14

Arrogance, greed and bravado have caused so many of our world's problems. We judge and reject others from the outside without getting to know them, thinking ourselves superior and privileged. Lent gives us the freedom to be honest with ourselves, others and our God. We are all mortal, broken and in need of a Savior. Fortunately, Jesus lived, died and lived again so our sins and cruelty will not drown us. Lent offers us a hand us in this season, a step on the road of honesty and dignity and wholeness. May we all live a holy Lent. offering our failings and pride to Jesus, who holds us in his loving arms.

Wondrous Creator, you loved us from the beginning

and you stay with us despite our rejection of you.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

We judge, criticize and reject neighbors and strangers

while we are blind to our arrogance, greed and cruelty.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

We do not listen with our hearts and with compassion

we look always to compare and to cruelly criticize.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

Our dominance and control is our daily obsession

as we try to forget we are completely dependent on you.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

Hear our prayer today, dear Lord and forgive us

so that we might turn from all the pain we cause.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

Take our hearts and minds and make them yours

and let compassion and love might flow in this world now. 

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner. Amen.

Shrove Tuesday

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this man?’ They answered, ‘If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.’ The Jews replied, ‘We are not permitted to put anyone to death.’ (This was to fulfil what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’ After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, ‘I find no case against him. John 18:28-38

Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday depending on your culture and where you live. It is also Chinese New Year, the year of the horse. Many parishes will have pancake suppers, Mardi Gras events and some will have pancake races and pancake tosses. This Tuesday we live on the cusp of great change as tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins. We are in a new lunar year, and we celebrate with frivolity as our world changes. Traditionally we used of all the fat before the severities of Lent are upon us. In our Gospel today, Jesus and the world is on the edge of his final passion, being examined by Pilate, although we know he is headed for the cross. We are invited today to remember we are always on the brink of something new, God's new possibilities and challenges we never imagined.

Glorious Creator, you bring changes to us

you offer us the space to dance and celebrate

and you love us and we struggle and mourn.

The world takes no notice of your works

hopes are dashed and suffering abounds

yet you are bringing us good new always.

Make us strong so we might face tomorrow

make us tender so we might live today

and help us turn into your changes with great love. Amen.

Denied and Forgiven

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. John 18:15-27

So today is a holiday, Presidents' Day across the US. Here in Massachusetts today begins a week off for the kids from school. When my children were in school here in the 1980s, they were calling the vacation Energy week, although now, no one here remembers that. When I was a child, we had both Abraham Lincoln's (2/12) and George Washington's birthday (2/22) off from school. In 1971 they were combined and we do little to celebrate either, except to shop. I say all this because today, we read about Peter's adamant denial of Jesus. He pretended to have forgotten the past incredible years in his life. He acted as if he didn't love Jesus and his life had not been transformed by him. We forget and deny so quickly if it works for us. We set aside holy days if they are not convenient. And for Peter, this moment in his life defined everything going forward and Jesus' forgiveness made him the sacrificial leader he became. 

Gracious Creator, you place good leaders in our midst

who help us have deep faith in the most trying times

and who change the course of history with their love.

We stumble, we fall and we deny you every day

yet you pick us up, forgive us and set us on our way

to serve sacrificially so the whole world is renewed.

Help us get up and be those who lead with forgiven hearts

humbly facing each day with prayer and your spirit

so love may flow again on our fractured streets. Amen.

Last Sunday After Epiphany

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Matthew 17:1-9

This is Transfiguration Sunday when we read from the Gospel about a mountain top experience of Peter or Simon Bar Jonah, James and John, the "sons of thunder" who were the sons of Zebedee and Salome. These roughhewn fishermen were close with Jesus and were probably not comfortable in the high mountains. They were truly terrified, knocked out of their toughness. They witnessed the true nature of Jesus, the son of God, standing between Elijah and Moses, the true greats of Jewish tradition. They even heard the voice of the Creator, Jesus' father. Jesus spoke to them the often-repeated words, "do not be afraid." From this point on, Jesus would set his face to Jerusalem, to his death on the cross. Great evil was ahead. These days, we have every right to be afraid and yet Jesus reminds us to get up and not be afraid. To face the rough roads ahead with the power of the Spirit and the love of God within us. 

Gracious Creator, you show yourself to us

in the beauty and mystery of your creation.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

You set us on high mountains and in deep waters

to help us to know the depth of your love for us.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

Lift us from our fears and worries these days

so we might bring your love to the rough streets.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

Give us your strength in this coming season

so we might shine your light in the darkness.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

Turn us from deep worry to high hopes again

so forgiveness and compassion might flourish.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

And make us instruments of love and peace 

so we might sing songs of love in hard times.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today. Amen.

Free Indeed

They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’ They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.’ They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’ John 8:33-47

It's important in these turbulent times, when truth and freedom seem so challenged, and Christian leaders use scripture to justify outright lies, abuse and discrimination. We can turn and judge them harshly and fall into the same dangerous behavior. It is hard to love and have compassion for those who abuse their authority. It is so hard to watch innocent adults and children be snatched, abused and killed. The world needs us to speak up with love and compassion despite our deep desire to judge, retaliate and mock. We are called to be those who live in truth, who share our freedom with others, and love those we might be uncomfortable around, affording them the same rights we have, the same freedoms that make us free indeed.

Loving Creator, the author of all living being

you send us a stream water, living and free

so we might share your love with others.

We too often keep your blessings to ourselves

thinking by birthright we can hoard freedom

and judge others who are different from us.

Lord, help us dive deep into your living stream

so we might be covered with your grace and truth

and share love and freedom with everyone today. Amen.

Not Left Alone

Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him. Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ John 8:21-32

We often flinch and move away from folks who are challenged or in trouble. Even Jesus could not be alone in his ministry, and none of us can do our lives and ministries alone. Traditionally, Indigenous people brought others alone to support, teach and grow together. Folks weren't called weak or strong, less than or incapacitated. We needed each other historically and we need each other now more than ever. God is calling us all in this very fragile time to serve as disciples, to listen to God's living word and to act with truth and compassion, relying on one another. God is calling us to deep listening, deep compassion and constant companionship.

Loving Creator, you put your heart within us

you bring us up in communities of deep faith

and walk with us in the darkest times in history.

These days are uncomfortable and dangerous

we fear the newly arrived and the poorest ones

and have forgotten how to walk with others here.

Lord, lift up our heads so we see the needs here

empower us with your spirit and your truth

so that we might be your disciples here and now. Amen.

Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ Then the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’ Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgement is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.’ Then they said to him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’ He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. John 8:12-20

Today is the anniversary of the consecration of Barbara Clementine Harris. In 1989, I was in my last year of seminary and was asked to be an usher and carry the silver from our seminary to the venue. We carried it on the T in a duffel bag. What a day it was! Despite the fact that we had rehearsed the night before as to what to do if there was an "incident" as there had been many threats on her life, and protests happened outside and during the ceremony, she became the first woman elected and concentrated as a bishop in the world-wide Anglican communion. Being a woman was a real threat but being a black woman was even more of a threat. I spoke with an elderly woman who had traveled with her daughter throughout the night to be there. She told me that her parents had been born into slavery and here she was, witnessing a black woman becoming a bishop. We cried together. Folks who carry the light of the world, like Bishop Harris, change us all for the good. The church came around slowly, but I am a bishop because she was willing to shine her light and let no one put it out. Be light for this world today in her honor, for the sake of the children who come after us.

Wondrous Creator, you sent the light into the world

your child came so that we too might be light now

and carry light into the darkest corners of our world.

We are weighed down with darkness of all kinds

there is too much violence against hard working folks

and no punishment for the cruelest of abusers.

Help us carry your light today as Barbara once did

help us speak truth to unjust systems and powers

and bring light to this world that has lost hope today. Amen.

Writing in the Sand

Then each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’ John 7:53-8:11

I grew up by the ocean and actually love sand. It is part of life for us. Digging, building castles and writing in the sand were daily activities. Sand was everywhere and we took it home in our bathing suits, our shorts, in our towels, in our hair and on our feet. When we would visit my parents in the summer, my daughters would put sand in their pockets when we were leaving to remind them of life at the ocean. The gift of sand is that the water washes everything away a high tide, and we can start over the next day. The religious leaders brought a woman before Jesus who they were planning to stone. Whatever Jesus wrote made them run away and after they left, he forgave her. What a story for our times. As fingers are pointed in high places, let us remember we can focus on other peoples' sin, and not admit to our own darkness. 

Loving Creator, into all life is renewal

you forgive us when we come to you

and you send us on our way with love.

We want life to be easy and s as we please

meanwhile we like to condemn others

and fail to see the wickedness within us.

Lord Jesus, heal us and send us on our way

reminding us that forgiveness means to sin no more 

and help us not to condemn others but to only love. Amen.

More Living Water

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” ’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, ‘This is really the prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’ But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?’ So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, ‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’ They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’ John 7:37-52

“Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water." This is when the real troubles start. Jesus has gone to the temple for the festival and is reminding folks that he is living water and that from the heart of believers will flow living water. Living water from people, poor and wealthy alike. life changing water from simple believers, from unlikely places, from people who speak in other tongues and who are very different from us. This infuriated the chief priest and pharisees, who lit into the temple police. Nicodemus, a believer, came to Jesus' defense. Yet their fear and anxiety was already on high alert. A nobody from Galilee cannot be a prophet let alone the messiah they declared. We also live in a time when nobodies shake up the powers that be. Let us be the nobodies whose hearts flow with streams of living water.

Wondrous Creator, who gives us living water

so that we might be refreshed and made clean

full of your love and healing for the world.

Our planet is on fire with angry, fearful hearts

folks whose shame has been brought to light

and who are afraid of the truth telling nobodies.

Help us have hearts full of living waters

may love and forgiveness flow though us

so all might know of your presence here today. Amen.

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - February 8, 2026

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:13-20

This week has been a challenging one. Many times, those in power have used their platforms to spread hate. Unfortunately, this has been true throughout the ages. Jesus knew the cruelty and lawlessness of leadership, both religious and secular. He lived in an occupied country; he was a refugee as a small child and was hated by the religious authorities. He also knew that some of his followers were tempted to do violence and illegal things because of the cruelty of their leaders. Yet he refocused them and called them to be salt and light in times of great evil and darkness, in a society which fostered hate and violence. We are called in this season to be salt and light. Love and compassion in the face of gross cruelty and inhumanity. We have our work cut out for us but let' be brave and let love lead us today.

Gracious Creator, you are salt and light

you bring us out of the deepest darkness

and renew our joy and sweeten our days.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

The world has turned cruel and angry

people spout hate and act violently

yet you call us to be salt and light.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

Listen to our cries, oh dear Savior

for we are hopeless in these times.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

Lift us from the broken sinking ships

and help us to sing songs of love.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

Put your heart is our hearts, dear Lord

and give us strength to be your light.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

For you are love incarnate and joy

and you bless us in every season.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light. Amen.

In Secret

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ (For not even his brothers believed in him.) Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.’ After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, ‘Where is he?’ And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, ‘He is a good man’, others were saying, ‘No, he is deceiving the crowd.’ Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews. John 7:1-13

Too many people have to hide these days. Some are hiding in fear because of who they are or who they represent. Some folks legally in this country are hiding for fear of ICE. Throughout history, people have had to hide from the authorities, the government, or even their communities. After removal from our homeland to then Oklahoma territory, our people had to hide who they were. All our traditional ways were outlawed and had to be done in secret. If caught, one could be thrown in jail for many years. Many Native people still hide today and carry their passports when the go out due to their fear of being arrested as "illegal aliens." Jesus was in hiding and went to the festival in secret. It's encouraging to me to imagine Jesus in hiding, in secret with those who are now scared for their lives as he was. He is with us even in the most terrifying and fearful circumstances.

Loving Creator, you bring us into light

when we are fearful and daily terrified

and you dwell with us in our hiding places.

We have come to believe in our own safety

and think our money or our power can save

yet even the most powerful hide from the law.

Help us Lord Jesus, to see you here in hiding

staying with those who are scared and trembling

surrounding the hidden with eternal love and peace. Amen.

Turning Back

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’ Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’ He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him. John 6:60-71

There are points in our lives where we make decisions, whether knowingly or not. We walk away, do not respond or pretend not to hear, yet we are making decisions all along. Jesus said hard things to his disciples, and many turned on their heels and fled. Some might have come back but we will never know. A few might have gone for air and come back while others never returned. The life of following Jesus is demanding, and we are called to follow not just when it's easy. These are hard times in which it is hard to choose between following Jesus or taking care and protecting ourselves. We are called to say yes, even in hard times.

Loving Creator, you brought us safely here

loving us in hard times and on glorious days

and you promise to be with us all the way.

We are called to follow you, yet we wander

distracted by the world's woes and our needs

slipping away when things get too hard.

Help us to strap on our boots and follow you

so that love can blossom in these desert times

and you love can be shared in the darkest places. Amen.

Raise Them Up

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. John 6:52-59

Those who held with the tradition of the time could not accept that Jesus was something new and saying things that frightened them. They were comfortable and had control of their lives and families. In the face of change, they argued and challenged, just like we do. But could they hear what is meant to say "I will raise them up on the last day?" How did it feel to hear that, when the world had rejected you and refused to help you up? How glorious those words must have felt to the outcast, the broken, the crippled, the poor and those wandering aimlessly. Jesus saw them and cared for them. He lifted them up in life and promised to lift them up in the afterlife. And his promise is for all of us, everyone, even those who question and struggle.

Gracious Creator, you lift up the struggling

you sing a new song of life to the hopeless

and carry those who cannot walk any more.

We are so worn down from the violence

fear and worry seem to invade us all

and we refuse to listen to the cries of others.

Take our hand, dear Savior, and lift us up

so we might stand tall in violent times

and sing new songs of new life to the weary world. Amen.

I Am the Bread of Life

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; John 6:41-54

Bread in some sort is the staple of life. Bread and water. Of course, there are many more foods, glorious vegetables, meat and vegetable proteins as well as milks and cheeses. Life would be terribly boring and limited if all we consumed was bread and water. Whole channels, televisions shows and competitions are all dedicated to food, recipes and creativity in the kitchen. Yet we can be distracted by all the glitz and glamor and fail to see the essential need in all of us. We ache for meaning, we ache to be known and loved. We ache for more than just basic needs; we ache for eternal connection and lasting relationships. Jesus promises if we simply believe, we will be fed and spiritually full. Life be more than basic survival; our lives will have meaning.

Gracious Creator, you call us your children

provide abundantly for all of our needs

and comfort us when we are afraid.

These days we are scared all the time

the daily chores seem more difficult

and we draw away from our neighbors.

You, Lord, are the still the living bread

and we are aching to be fully fed

so we might serve the world without fear again. Amen.

Groundhog Day

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for I have taken refuge in you; in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by.

I will call upon the Most High God, the God who maintains my cause. 

We will send from heaven and save me; he will confound those who trample upon me; God will send forth his love and his faithfulness.

I lie in the midst of lions that devour the people; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword. 

They have laid a net for my feet, and I am bowed low; they have dug a pit before me but have fallen into it themselves. 

Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, and your glory over all the earth. 

My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and make melody.

Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp; I myself will waken the dawn. Psalm 57:1-8

Today is Groundhog Day, a silly, fun moment in the dead of winter. A small town, no big city folks new about, becomes the center of attention for one day. Today is also the feast of the Presentation or Candlemas, when we commemorate Jesus' presentation in the temple forty days after his birth to fulfill Jewish law. There is no law of reason for Groundhogs Day, except maybe to give us hope for a quick end to winter. Phil saw his shadows, so six more weeks of Easter. At this time of year, and with all the trauma in our country, we can feel beaten down and overwhelmed. Yet we can rejoice that Jesus is still working, our Savior is not stopped by weather or chill or silly forecasts. His work and weapon is always love, and it cannot be stopped by act of nature since he is the author of all.

Wondrous Creator, who brings light daily

and turns the world so all may see and know

the blessings and challenges of every season.

The darkness is here in our streets and hearts

fear has taken over where love should be

and we cling to foolish predictions and signs.

Help us burrow into your love and promises

make us know you deeply so we might love

and turn the world your world to light once again. Amen.

Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany February 1, 2026

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:1-12

I just had the honor of attending the funeral of a bishop. It was so moving, and despite the circumstance I came away with deep hope and joy. A life, one person, who by his own joy, blessed so many people. One person, redeemed by God, who transformed communities and individuals by his caring. Jesus preaches what we now call the sermon on the mount, or the beatitudes for all of us.Those of us who are afraid, those who are angry and exhausted, those crying and those screaming in loss and pain. No matter our circumstances, we are blessed, for we are all beloved of God.

Loving Creator, you bless the weak and weary

You bless the hungry and the exhausted

Promising renewing love and mercy.

Bless us Lord Jesus with your mercy, love and peace.

These times have discouraged and hurt us

We cry out where are you, O Lord 

Yet your arms are open wide and you love us eternally.

Bless us Lord Jesus with your mercy, love and peace.

Turn us out from our hiding places, dear Lord

So we might see your face once again.

Bless us Lord Jesus with your mercy, love and peace.

Turn us from our worry so we can be peacemakers

And let the pain we bear help us bring mercy here.

Bless us Lord Jesus with your mercy, love and peace.

 Bless us again today, so we might stand up

And care for our human family here among us.

Bless us Lord Jesus with your mercy, love and peace. Amen.

One Child's Offering

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’ When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:1-15

I am often amazed at how church leaders, lay and clergy alike, are always anxious about money. Phillip is very anxious when Jesus asks him where can food be gotten for the people. "There's no money for that!" is the refrain. And yet, one child offers his small lunch, five barley loaves and two fish, something his mother probably sent him with. This offering sets off a miracle of great generosity and abundance. The child didn't offer money, yet what he has became food for all, with leftovers for all to take home. We are in a time of shortages and anxiety, yet there are still things each of us can offer. Our small offerings might make the difference, might encourage miracles of generosity and abundance, might just help change the world.

Gracious Creator, you feed us and fill us

with the goodness of your creation

and bring us home to communities of faith.

We are anxious, Lord, as the church diminishes

we have focused on the ways of the world

and forgotten to seek your miracles

Lift us from our anxiety and fear today

so we might offer what we have to Jesus

and help bring generosity and abundance here.